Learn firsthand how Team USA athletes have grown and developed through our country's collegiate sports system.
To provide an athlete testimonial for your college/university, please email ParalympiansMadeHere@usopc.org.
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"I chose Harvard because of its unrivaled academics, progressive team atmosphere and supportive coaching staff. Additionally, Harvard’s ability to support my unique learning needs through the Accessible Education Office was unparalleled. Being a student-athlete at Harvard has been particularly helpful in learning time management skills."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"Collegiate competition taught me valuable lessons about racing at a higher level. Having supportive teammates and coaching staff has allowed me to preserve a healthy mentality through competition, never feeling too high or too low about outcomes in the pool."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"Attending a college like Harvard creates opportunities that could not occur at any other school. The diversity of the student population allows for exposure to a variety of opinions and ideas which makes for a more thorough understanding of people, thoughts and ideas that I can carry forward into my life beyond college."
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR COLLEGE, AND WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE THERE?
I chose to attend Butler University because of the small campus size and community-oriented atmosphere. I loved having teachers know my name and seeing familiar faces all around campus while also being able to compete for a successful division I program. Competing for a cross country team was a big factor for me, but I also wanted a private university that was around 4,000-10,000 students. I wanted a school that was on the national stage for athletics.
HOW DID COMPETING COLLEGIATELY HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COMPETING ON TEAM USA?
Although I did not compete the entirety of my collegiate career, I learned valuable lessons about elite-level athletics, balancing personal responsibilities with sport and team building. I was able to discover what "team" truly meant while competing in an individual sport. Butler has the greatest sense of community that I have ever experienced. The people in this community are some of the kindest, smartest, most athletic and impressive people that I have ever met. Being surrounded by these outstanding individuals makes me proud to call myself a Bulldog. I hope to take that sense of community with me to Team USA.
HOW DID (OR WILL) GOING TO COLLEGE PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE?
Going to college was the best decision that I could have made for myself. Not only did I learn important lessons from my academic class that are now applicable in my career, but also valuable life lessons and experiences that are irreplaceable. I met some of my lifelong best friends and matured so much over the course of my amazing four years. Go Dawgs!
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"I chose University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana for three reasons - a great coach, potential teammates and the academic school. It felt great being a student-athlete at a Division I school."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"Being a collegiate athlete was the opportunity I needed to take the next step towards improving my skills to make Team USA."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"By attending college, I was able to learn life skills needed to survive and function in the real world."
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"I grew up only 15 minutes away from UW-Whitewater and was able to attend a wheelchair basketball camp that is held there every summer. I instantly fell in love with the sport and being able to compete against other athletes with similar physical abilities. Recruitment was made very easy and upon joining, I knew that I was going to be able to attend a school that was known for my major (Business-HR), had an environment that wasn't too big for a farm kid like myself and would push me on and off the court."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"UW-Whitewater has always drawn players from around the country and world who want to better themselves. Competing against the best athletes day in and day out from a young age was instrumental in allowing me to improve my game and make the most of myself."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"My situation is unique in that I was able to get an internship while in school which allowed me to obtain a job on campus right after graduation. The opportunity has served as a springboard for me to grow as a professional and move up the higher education ladder while still being able to pursue my Paralympic goals and dreams."
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"I remember the first time I arrived on Loyola’s campus, I felt at home immediately. Ahead of committing to the school, I was able to sit in on one of the classes where I felt so engaged and excited to learn the materials. The entire department worked with me, especially during the Rio Paralympic Games, to ensure that I kept up with classes and wasn't overwhelmed when I returned a month late into the semester. I will be forever grateful for their hard work and guidance. As a student-athlete with a disability that competed in a Division I program, I loved that I never felt different or lesser."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"Swimming collegiately helped me tremendously in preparing me to compete for Team USA. One of the things I loved and cherished the most about college swimming was the team aspect. I believe the team-oriented approach that I learned in college swimming prepared me well for the Paralympic Games and other national team trips because competing for Team USA means coming together as one. I learned from Loyola that you are so much stronger when you come together to achieve a common goal, and I always take that lesson with me when competing for Team USA."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
I’ve learned so much about life in being a student-athlete at Loyola. I always say that competing as a Division I swimmer while being enrolled as a full-time student, along with competing simultaneously on the national team, was the hardest, yet most rewarding thing that I have ever done. The work ethic I learned from those four years will carry me through in anything I do in my life. One of my life's greatest accomplishments will probably go down as graduating on time with my degree and achieving the successes I had at the Rio 2016 Paralympics. It was a hard journey, but I am immensely proud of myself and I know that I can pursue anything in life because of what I went through and achieved in those four years."
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"With an amazing history of winning on and off the track, Texas-Arlington was very close to home for me. Being only 15-20 minutes up the road from my high school, I wanted to be in an environment that felt like home. I had a team and school that I could call my family. From the other student-athletes to the coaching staff and teachers, every single individual made me feel comfortable in my own skin."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"Being able to compete at the collegiate level gave me the opportunity to stretch myself beyond imagination. It gave me the chance to compete with amazing ‘able-bodied’ athletes and allowed me to never give myself limits. This prepared me mentally to compete on many different stages."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"College gives you a different outlook on life! They say experience is the best teacher so you definitely have to dive in head first. College allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and prepare me more for this thing we call life! There are so many different people, clubs and organizations that you can meet and join that can help you in the long run. Having the opportunity to expand my education as well as gaining life-long friends was a major part of my college experience."
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR COLLEGE, AND WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE THERE?
I chose to train at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign because I was aware of the legacy and prestige that the wheelchair track program has there. This is all due to the wealth of knowledge and resources of our coaching staff. My favorite memories of the wheelchair track and road racing program include the support and camaraderie of my fellow teammates every day at training.
HOW DID COMPETING COLLEGIATELY HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COMPETING ON TEAM USA?
Competing at the University of Illinois helped me prepare for competing on Team USA. All of my success in the sport will forever be indebted to the coaching staff and administration at UIUC. Competing for Team USA requires more than just a training plan, it requires supporting the overall wellness of the athlete from social, physical, mental, emotional, educational and more. All of these facets are appreciated and nurtured as an athlete here in Champaign-Urbana.
HOW DID (OR WILL) GOING TO COLLEGE PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE?
College prepared me for life because there are many traits I have learned through sport that will transfer over to my life after sport. One of those being patience, another one being appreciative and trusting the process of achieving goals. I have learned many of these aspects through my coach Adam Bleakney who has really aided in my development as a student and an athlete.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR COLLEGE, AND WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE THERE?
At the time I was living in Canada and only applied to one school, UIUC. I knew that if I wanted to be my best, and learn what it meant to get there, I had to be at UIUC and nowhere else. It had the best of both worlds for me – academics and athletics. Their actuarial sciences program was in the top three of the nation and their wheelchair basketball program was first. There were no other adaptive sports program like it and I was able to fully immerse myself in my dreams of competing at the Paralympics. Mike Frogley was the coach at the time, and I think many would agree he was one of, if not the greatest, coaches in the history of the game. Coach Frogley and the rest of the staff were laser focused on making us both better athletes and people. They challenged us when we weren’t putting our best on the court, in the classroom and often times in life.
HOW DID COMPETING COLLEGIATELY HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COMPETING ON TEAM USA?
At the time, I was competing for Team Canada. Team USA came later after I became an American citizen, married an American girl and adopted the beliefs and culture of the United States. At UIUC, we were held to the highest standard. There was no room for excuses when you weren’t at your best. While the level of competition internationally is generally higher than domestically, the standard we were held to was the same. As a result, we were ready for the international stage in a very well-rounded way from fitness and mental skill sets to being taught to do things on the court that weren’t being taught anywhere else.
HOW DID (OR WILL) GOING TO COLLEGE PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE?
College prepared me so much more for life than it did from an athletic standpoint. First, the skill set I learned working with a team prepared me for the corporate world very well. Learning how to work with different skill sets, various characters and how to come together to succeed as one set me up to be able to interview well for my job and then put it into practice as I began my career. Secondly, it taught me the value of hard work. That was something as athletes we all know well however translating that to my career and other aspects of life was been hugely beneficial. There are no shortcuts, you have to be in it for the long run and work hard every day to achieve your dreams. Finally, I’d say it taught me the characteristics of a leader. I learned that the best way for me to succeed was often finding out how to make others shine, ways to engage with others in their story and how to push them to be their best.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR COLLEGE, AND WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE THERE?
I chose the University of Illinois specifically so that I could continue my athletic career in college. At the time that I applied to go to school, there were only two schools in the country offering this opportunity. I chose University of Illinois because of its rich history in adaptive athletics and in supporting students with disabilities. My teammates were my favorite part of being a student-athlete. I made lifelong friendships with some of my teammates.
HOW DID COMPETING COLLEGIATELY HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COMPETING ON TEAM USA?
Competing collegiately strengthened my focus on both my sports career and academics. As any student-athlete knows, there isn't a lot of free time during the day between classes and practice. I learned to manage my time well, set goals both on and off the track, and most importantly achieve my goals. The focus that was needed to succeed as a student-athlete translated to my success on Team USA.
HOW DID (OR WILL) GOING TO COLLEGE PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE?
As a mother to two young girls, I find my life to be chaotic at best most days! I feel college prepared me for this period of my life because I learned to manage my time wisely and take advantage of the moments when life gives you a little free time to just enjoy things! In terms of my career, my degrees in kinesiology and community health prepared me to work in the world of adaptive sports.
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"In 2012, my mom wanted me to see a local college just to get a feel of different schools because I didn’t really know what college I wanted to attend. The only thing that I really cared about was the school having a track program and the major I was trying to pursuit. So, we went to Concord University during my spring break, and the current admissions counselor (who is now the assistant dean of students) gave me the tour. The last stop of the tour was the athletic building and it just so happened that my college head, coach Mike Cox, came down. We introduced ourselves, and I told him I was interested in running track collegiately. However, when he left, the admissions counselor was telling us where the team traveled, and other things about the team including that he sees Coach Cox regularly running and doing workouts with the team. That sealed my decision as it showed me the Coach Cox would never make me do anything that he wouldn’t do himself.
One thing about Concord is that it is a small school in West Virginia with only about 3,000 students. I loved it there for many reasons - it was small, so we got to know our professors and they got to know us; it was a family atmosphere. But one thing that I loved the most about the team, back when I was completing my undergraduate degree and now as a coach and graduate student, is that we never considered ourselves a team instead we considered everyone as family."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"The biggest thing that helped me prepare was working on my sprinters background. I train the same as I did in college with the only difference being the length of training. Also, I was taught true sprinter form in college. I have now been focused on relearning my sprinting form with slight adjustments with my blade."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"The biggest thing that I learned in college was being more versatile and being able to adjust to things as they come. I went to a high school that didn’t teach me about running form, speed endurance, blocks, etc. Back then, we practiced for 45 mins. When I got to college, I had to go back to step one in sprint technique while also being a long jumper. Because of this, I had to learn how to balance my sprint training and my jump training in order to achieve my best in both disciplines. This is one of the things that is helping me now. It first helped me when I lost my leg six months after I graduated college in 2018 and getting used to my ‘new normal. Currently the preparation is helping me since I have been training for the Paralympics. I am also a full-time graduate student at Concord University and working on my master’s degree in health promotion, and on the coaching staff for long jump and sprints."
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"I chose the University of Northern Iowa because it felt like a place where I could make a difference. My first meeting with my prospective coaches made me feel valued and taken seriously as both an athlete and as a student. They listened to my thoughts and concerns, and were honest with me. I most appreciate the willingness of my coaches to reach beyond their comfort zone. None of my coaches had ever coached an adaptive athlete before and they made it a priority to provide me a safe space where I could explore as well as push past my limitations as an adaptive athlete."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"My time as a college student helped prepare me for Team USA by the constant support and growth that my teammates and coaches fostered. Everyone had different goals, but we knew that every goal was valued and valid. It meant the world to me to know that my teammates would support me every step of the way."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"College pushed my boundaries of who I thought I was, as well as who I wanted to be. I had to learn to grow and adapt as I came into my own as a young adult. College introduced many unfamiliar life paths to me, and I am grateful to have been able to explore them with an open mind. Somewhere along the way I discovered how to let my passions lead me to new and unexpected places."
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"I always wanted to live in California with lots of sunshine. California State Northridge was on the top of my list. I also wanted to prove to myself I could compete as an amputee in Division I. The coaches were very welcoming and made me feel like I was at home. What I liked most about being a student-athlete was the relationships I built with my team, I felt like we were a family going to war!"
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"Competing collegiately helped me prepare mentally for the amount of responsibility and accountability it takes to compete for Team USA. Being a student-athlete teaches you the skills of time management and mental toughness which are two things imperative to competing in the Paralympic Games. "
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"I learned many life lessons in college. Firstly, you have to have heart to compete at the highest level. Without heart, you will not sustain the amount of work, long hours and grind that it takes to be successful on and off the court. Secondly, you can go farther with a team than you can go alone. Being a team sport athlete forces you to work with all personality types, just like in the real world. Keeping a positive mindset and believing in the good in others is important to help lead everyone to success on a team. "
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"I have a unique story. I started playing wheelchair basketball and racing in track and field at the age of four until about the age of 12. My last two years, I picked up wrestling in high school. After my senior year of wrestling, I was actually hoping to look at the possibility of wrestling for a university. The spring prior to my graduation, I received a message from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania’s wheelchair basketball coach Jim Glatch asking if I wanted to play wheelchair basketball at the collegiate level. I was not receiving any offers for wrestling and could not turn down the opportunity to be a student-athlete in college. The thing that I loved the most about being a student-athlete was the fact that I was able to be the first in my family to obtain a college degree while participating in a competitive sport atmosphere."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"Competing against some of the best athletes in the country at the collegiate level prepared me to compete on Team USA as a lot of my competitors during my college career became my teammates. It was almost as if competing within the college ranks was training in and of itself as we continued to play against some of the best that the U.S. has to offer."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"Being a student-athlete made me a better player, person and leader on and off the court. I had to learn how to manage the full-time work load of a college student while also maintaining my practice, training and competition schedules. Being a student-athlete in college teaches you how to develop the values of responsibility, accountability and discipline. You have to be responsible for maintaining and achieving new heights in your studies and within your respected sport. You are accountable to your family, teammates, university and yourself as your actions (or lack of actions) effects everyone you have a connection with. Lastly, you must be disciplined to stay focused while attempting to obtain your ultimate goal even if that means making hard sacrifices."
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"I chose the University of Northern Iowa for many reasons: its proximity to my hometown, the size of the campus, and the caliber of its track and field program. My final decision to attend UNI however came after a campus visit with Coach Paulsen and Coach Wilson at the track. They valued my ability as an athlete and didn’t hesitate to bring me onto the team when I told them about my vision loss. In fact, they supported my attitude that I could overcome any obstacle and continue my success at the division I level.
Once I started college, I was thankful to be a student-athlete. I immediately had a new family of friends with similar interests. This was especially important because COVID-19 hit during my freshman year. Everything shut down and much of the year was lost, so having that group of friends from the team helped me stay driven and excited to return the next year."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"Competing in track and field at the division I collegiate level as been great preparation for the Paralympic Games. The competition is fierce, and the pressure is intense. I have learned to rely on my routine before races to remain focused and to decrease my anxiety. The practices pushed me every day and taught me to develop a strict routine in order to have success."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"I just completed my first full year of college since my freshman year was cut short due to COVID-19. I already know, though, that going to college as a student-athlete is preparing me for the future. Every day I have to stay disciplined and organized in order to attend classes, complete assignments and tests, and perform at practice and meets. The experience has reinforced the fact that my drive and work ethic will make it possible to accomplish any dream I pursue."
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"I was blessed to be highly recruited out of high school to run at the Division I level for college and visit many different schools. When visiting Eastern Michigan University, meeting the team and coaches instantly felt like home. Both the team and coaches were very welcoming and it was easy to see the bond that the team had with one another. That was something that I wanted to be a part of and Eastern Michigan was the only school I visited that made me feel this way. What I liked most about being a student-athlete at Eastern Michigan University is that the coaches actually cared on a higher level than just your athletic ability. My coaches not only valued an athlete who worked hard on the track, but an athlete who worked hard academically. From my personal experience, I also felt that my coaches were invested in their athletes and helping whenever possible even when it did not pertain to athletics or academics."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"Competing collegiately helped prepare me for competing on Team USA in many different ways. Running at a Division I school taught me a lot about mental toughness, understanding how to properly fuel my body from a nutritional aspect and also how to properly take care of myself from a recovery aspect to compete at a higher level. Competing collegiately also helped me to learn better discipline, patience, trust in my training process, how to become a better teammate and leader, and how to compete for something greater than myself. My entire collegiate running career was always me competing against non-Para athletes, so knowing that I had to compete against athletes while being born with Erb's Palsy taught me how to be competitive. I never was one to look at my birth defect as a disability or excuse. I always had the mentality to outwork my competitors and do what it took to compete at the Division I level."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"Going to college prepared me for the real world and what to expect. From my personal experience, I learned that it's not always what you know but who you know. Having a magnetic personality and being able to network with others will take you far. College also taught me that with hard work anything is possible. If you don't give up and persevere, you will reach your goals. On the other hand, if you don't work hard at something and you give up, you won't go far. Being able to participate in a sport while in college taught me better time management skills and better every day routines such as sleeping, eating and studying patterns which I believe will help me for life."
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR COLLEGE, AND WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE THERE?
I chose my college because after I had my seizure, lost everything, and was told I would never play soccer again, Marc Reeves (the head coach at the time) was the only one to give me a real chance. He believed in me and gave me the one thing I had asked for - an opportunity. What I liked most about being a student-athlete at Radford University was the culture of athletes there. We were a family. We really came together and made that environment our own, and I learned so much from the older players and staff that helped me develop into a better player and person on and off the field.
HOW DID (OR WILL) GOING TO COLLEGE PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE?
Going to college helped me develop as a man and taught me life lessons that will last with me forever. It taught me how to manage my time, my emotions in moments of adversity and prioritize what was important especially with as many distractions as you are surrounded by in college.
HOW DID COMPETING COLLEGIATELY HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COMPETING ON TEAM USA?
Competing collegiately helped me prepare to compete on Team USA by pushing me past my limits at the time and really tested myself of what I was capable of mentally and physically. I had to compete at the highest level in college and deal with pressure, adversity, and everything I deal with now on the international level. It really molded me mentally as an athlete to be able to handle anything thrown my way.
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"I first started competing at Saddleback Community College where I was able to experience the support from a coach and training that a school team can offer. Mark Wetmore, head coach at Saddleback College, was very supportive of my dreams of making the U.S. Paralympic team. I knew I wanted to move to another college with a similar experience. After being accepted into a university whose coaches came back letting me know that I was considered a liability in their eyes, my heart sank and I had to decide whether I was still going to chase my dreams. I decided to prove to myself and others that I’m more than a liability, I am capable of competing at an elite level! I trained tirelessly doing two-a-days by myself and a few days I would talk a couple buddies into working out with me. One day, I was having a hard time trying to figure life out and I reached into my closet under a stack full of clean shirts where I found an Azusa Pacific University track & field shirt. I had received it one summer at an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) camp volunteering where a fellow Azusa alumni gave me his training shirt before I left. I wore it to the gym and suddenly my Pandora radio station kept playing commercials for Azusa Pacific University (APU). Later that week, I was watching YouTube videos and stumbled across Bryan Clay training for the 2012 Olympic Trials at APU. It was during this time that I began being open to transferring to other schools so I could train with a team and grow as a student-athlete. I emailed a few other colleges, but when I emailed Kevin Reid at Azusa Pacific University I got an immediate response and an immediate appointment to meet him at the school. From our first encounter, I knew it was going to be a great fit! When I joined this team at APU, what I liked most was the family aspect. All of the coaches were very supportive and did a good job of creating a healthy environment to train and focus on and off the track. I was treated just like the other athletes, and as a disabled athlete that was important to me. I didn't want to be treated differently, I wanted to do all the same workouts and be pushed beyond my limits just like everyone else. The opportunity that was given to me by coaches Kevin Reid and Mike Barnett lead to much of the success I have had thus far in my career! The coaches didn't look at me as a liability but looked at me as an asset to the team providing work ethic despite my disability. They saw the opportunity to train me as a fun challenge and helped me reach my goals of making the Paralympic team."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"Competing with the APU team on a weekly basis, where I went through the different training cycles as a student-athlete, taught me a lot about time management and focusing on goals. I was challenged mentally to push myself and beat my able-bodied training partners and competitors. I grew in mental fortitude and resilience. I developed a workhorse mentality telling myself I can do this with one foot and I can do more than them. I took on the role as the underdog and used it to drive my ambitions of making my first U.S. Paralympic team."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"The expectations imposed upon me for assignments impacted me the most. I found that my standards for my own work performance and that of others were much higher than what I was experiencing immediately after college. This allowed me to better evaluate who I would hire or let go. Preparing for finals and midterms taught me how to stay up late, wake up early and still find time to train. I have already experienced this stress after college and am comfortable being able to repeat as needed."
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR COLLEGE, AND WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE THERE?
I chose to go to the University of Alaska because of the abundance and ease of access to the outdoors. There were ski trails right outside of my dorm room as well as mountains, glaciers and the ocean to explore. But, my favorite part of being a student-athlete was the community of people.
HOW DID COMPETING COLLEGIATELY HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COMPETING ON TEAM USA?
College athletics has taught me how to work under pressure. Trying to pass four midterms and workout 15 hours in the same week can be overwhelming. In college, I really loved training because it allowed me to take a mental break from school. I was able to focus on the interval set and not think about my other stressors in life.
HOW DID (OR WILL) GOING TO COLLEGE PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE?
As cheesy as it sounds, college has helped me find myself and the type of person I want to be in the future. It has shaped what I value and my future goals in life. I love being part of a team and being able to inspire and motivate others. After my undergraduate degree, I hope to go into the medical field where I can work in a team and help other people.
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"I chose the University of Alabama because it was the best place for me to continue both my basketball and academic careers. I love the program's dedication not only to us as athletes, but also to who we are as people. They are truly committed to making adaptive sports the best that they can possibly be. I am thankful for the resources that we have and for the university's support. In addition, I love the academic and social environments of the school overall. Alabama was the best fit for all of my college goals."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"Competing collegiately allows me to train alongside a team that pushes me to get better every single day. Most of my training in high school was done on my own, so practicing regularly in a team atmosphere is new for me, and I think will be incredibly beneficial in helping me prepare for Team USA. Additionally, I was thankful to have somewhere to train during the pandemic that has made training a challenge for so many athletes."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"Attending college will allow me to get a degree in psychology, which is a step toward my ultimate career goal of counseling and sports psychology. It will also enable me to build relationships with lifelong friends and continue to play the sport that I love. It is beneficial on so many levels and I feel incredibly grateful for this opportunity."
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR COLLEGE, AND WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE THERE?
I went to the University of Michigan to swim and learn from some of the best. Being able to compete for Michigan was a total thrill. I had awesome teammates that taught me teamwork, perseverance, hard work, and dedication. I learned from everybody around me. I had the opportunity to be coached by a legend of the sport, Jon Urbanchek, as well as compete with Big Ten champions, All-Americans, NCAA champions, world champions, and Olympic champions daily! What an awesome experience!!! Some of my favorite moments came outside of the pool as we had a tight team and a fun group that also enjoyed just hanging out with one another.
HOW DID COMPETING COLLEGIATELY HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COMPETING ON TEAM USA?
We had a unique group of athletes I got to train with, and we were always pushing each other for more. That attitude and commitment extended beyond Michigan, we were able to think and dream big. It was supported by the leadership at Michigan from the Athletic Director down to each teammate. The competition was fierce within the walls of our pool (Matt Mann pool). The idea was that if we can compete with each other on a daily basis and if we could handle the crucible of training at Michigan, that meant we could race against anyone in the world.
HOW DID (OR WILL) GOING TO COLLEGE PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE?
I learned so much at a critical age by going to Michigan. I was away from my family for the first time and learning how to manage my time, keep my commitments, and rise to every challenge. Those things were key to my growth as an athlete and more importantly as a person.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR COLLEGE, AND WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE THERE?
I created the goal early on for myself that I wanted to work hard enough to earn a spot on a NCAA Division I team. I knew that track and field could be the way I opened the door to a beautiful opportunity at a wonderful school. Figuring out the process of college was difficult at first as there wasn't much guidance for the path I wanted to walk down. Nearly no one from home pushes onto that next level of athletics plus being a first-generation college student added that extra bit of uncertainty. I'd looked at several colleges and Bucknell University stood out like none other. I knew after walking around campus and seeing the town of Lewisburg that Bucknell would be home for the next couple of years. Everything felt right from the atmosphere of the town to the focus on academics and the support of the coaching staff. I knew I'd thrive in Lewisburg and that intuition was true. I found another family at Bucknell and by far that has been the greatest benefit of being a student-athlete.
HOW DID COMPETING COLLEGIATELY HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COMPETING ON TEAM USA?
Arthrogryposis occasionally creates slight problems when designing workouts to prepare me for competition. The coaching staff at Bucknell University have been so helpful in finding out what works. The one-on-one attention I've been able to receive was game changing as I've become far faster and much stronger. The vast majority of my time is spent training and racing alongside able-bodied athletes as if my disability does not exist. The dynamic of receiving the next level of training with other high-performing athletes while also having the option to work closely with knowledgeable coaches has worked perfectly for me as I've prepared for Para track and field. Competing collegiately has given me the chance to continue challenging my abilities through offering the resources necessary for my success as an athlete.
HOW DID (OR WILL) GOING TO COLLEGE PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE?
College was an eye-opener for me and there is no doubt that this experience drastically changed my life. Growing up in small town in rural America where poverty ran rampant taught me lots of lessons about life but ultimately that reality ends up becoming a vacuum that many find impossible to escape. Seeing what the rest of the world has to offer and getting the chance to work towards obtaining the bounties of the world for myself through a college degree is something I am thankful for every single day. Inside the classroom I've worked to understand the mind and the best ways to teach others, but outside I've been able to gain a better understanding of the larger world that I can use to position myself into a place where giving back to others is easy.
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"I chose UC because of how inclusive the campus was, and because they had a good swim team. Due to Covid-19, there weren't a lot of opportunities for me to train with the team. I trained on my own and with a private coach for most of the year."
What are you looking forward to as a student-athlete?
"I am looking forward to meeting and becoming friends with other athletes as well as competing against other colleges."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"College will prepare me for life by giving me the skills that I need to be successful in my career."
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR COLLEGE, AND WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE THERE?
I chose to attend Michigan State University because of the Spartans well-known culture of being a family. “Spartans Will” is not just a slogan used but a reality at Michigan State. I also chose the university for the unmatched services for those with disabilities, in particular for visually impaired students such as myself.
HOW DID COMPETING COLLEGIATELY HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COMPETING ON TEAM USA?
Competing as an athlete at Michigan State University greatly helped me in many areas of my life especially how to succeed as a part of Team USA. Sports in general has helped to provide structure, work ethic and accountability. When competing while simultaneously being a student, you must learn how to prioritize your values and balance multiple priorities at once. Competing collegiately taught me how to stay focused even though the environment around me was constantly changing. An everchanging schedule and travel can be difficult for many people, but learning how to be mindful of my surroundings while remaining focused on my goals has greatly helped me while competing for Team USA.
HOW DID (OR WILL) GOING TO COLLEGE PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE?
Academia teaches the basics of science and math, but in reality school taught me a multitude of things: how to learn, balancing work and personal time, managing challenging times, learning about culture and diversity, and developing autonomy. Without the volume of experiences one gets in college, I think people are more likely to proceed through life without the ability and willingness to acknowledge and take into account the viewpoint of others. School is a social essential to healthy development as a productive and positive contributor to society. Having the athletic experience in college just adds another level of learning and development before entering the professional workforce.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR COLLEGE, AND WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE THERE?
I set a goal when I was in elementary school to go to a service academy as I wanted to become an astronaut. Starting in middle school, I knew my decision was either Army or Air Force. Once I got to high school, I decided that I wanted to branch aviation and fly helicopters for the Army. Once enrolled in Army University, I chose to play soccer and run track. What I liked the most about being a student-athlete at Army University is the Army vs. Navy game!
After leaving West Point, it was an easy decision to choose the University of Alabama. I was familiar with Tuscaloosa from my time at the Marion Military Institute and I could get all the coursework I need immediately. The faculty in the business school and the department of information systems, statistics and management science were amazing. Alabama has a rich tradition in college sports especially as a member of the SEC. What I liked most about being athlete at Alabama was seeing all of my hard work coming together. I was back playing the game I loved in Division I soccer.
HOW DID COMPETING COLLEGIATELY HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COMPETING ON TEAM USA?
I learned valuable skills and tools of how to be a better athlete. I was exposed to my first strength and conditioning program at West Point. The mental preparation of competing in a highly competitive environment with stands full on both sides was also a key learning. In my plebe year, the Army vs. Navy game was like going through a gauntlet. You have fans and cadets cheering for you while simultaneously the midshipman trying to intimidate me with their chants.
At Alabama, I was able to build on the skills I learned at Army University. I became a much stronger athlete mentally learning to block out distractions. It took a lot of work and determination to come back to playing soccer after my accident. I had to get the agreement from the medical staff and the NCAA. It didn’t happen immediately but I used my goal to play as a Division I athlete as my rehabilitation. This was a lesson in patience, resilience and drive. Both my time at the University of Alabama and Army University built the foundation for my athletic career.
HOW DID (OR WILL) GOING TO COLLEGE PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE?
I learned about time management at West Point. University of Military Academy West Point throws everything at you. A student-athlete at USMA doesn’t have the opportunity to take a lighter class load when they are in season. I became mentally tough from cadet life. Playing in the Army vs. Navy game as a plebe in front of the corps was the biggest pressure cooker I had ever been in. Making the assist on the game-winning goal and earning Major A with a gold star was a huge accomplishment as a freshman. It gave me confidence that if I could be successful under pressure and that I could survive the stress of competing at the Paralympics or during difficult work meetings.
My master’s degree from Alabama helped me obtain my first job at Honda which then lead to my second career opportunity at Mercedes-Benz. Being a student-athlete taught me the skillset to manage both sports and school. This has translated into my work and given me the ability to manage training while also having a full-time job. I have successfully managed work, winning five Paralympic medals and competing in three Paralympic Games. If everything goes as planned, I will be competing for more medals in 2021 in my fourth Games!
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"As a student-athlete, often times we get recruited because of the player/athlete we are. I chose to go to UW-Whitewater to pursue becoming the best athlete I could possibly be. It was less about my ability, and more of my potential."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"As a collegiate athlete I learned principles of being an elite level athlete both on and off the court. Being a member of Team USA is a tremendous honor and comes with a big responsibility. At UW-Whitewater, I learned how to prioritize those responsibilities."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"My college experiences prepared me for the real world. I acquired major life skills in college like time management, working/living with others and balancing social life with major priorities."
Why did you choose your college, and what did you like most about being a student-athlete there?
"I chose University of Kansas because it was an exceptional school for sports management. I enjoyed being a student-athlete because we had the opportunity to get classes before others, as well as the rigorous group study schedule after practice."
How did competing collegiately help prepare you for competing on Team USA?
"The rigid schedule for both sport and academics made it easy transition for me into the U.S. Army."
How did (or will) going to college prepare you for life?
"College helped me prepare for my military career, as well as working within the civilian sector after retirement. I was able to juggle my workouts along with civilian employment. Since 2014, I have retired completely, and focus solely on training. Being a former collegiate athlete and retired Army soldier has enabled me to treat my training as a job, keeping to a rigorous schedule of riding, lifting and recovery."
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR COLLEGE, AND WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE THERE?
I chose to go to school at the University of Arizona. When I was 18 years old, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, so I didn't go to Arizona because of a specific program. When I went to tour the University, I fell in love with the campus and the beauty of the desert. I also choose to go to University of Arizona because of the adaptive sports program. I was able to compete in wheelchair tennis and get my bachelor’s degree in psychology. I loved being a student-athlete and being with my teammates. We were like a family. I loved being able to study and train for not just tournaments but also training for the Paralympic Games. I wouldn't be who I am today without all the growing and learning I did at the University of Arizona. I absolutely loved my time there and suggest anyone interested in studying and playing collegiate adaptive sports to go to the University of Arizona.
HOW DID COMPETING COLLEGIATELY HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COMPETING ON TEAM USA?
Competing collegiately helped prepare me for competing on Team USA because of the structure and the team element since tennis is traditionally an individual sport. Competing at a college level in tennis helped prepare me for playing at a professional level by practicing structure and the responsibility of training as a young adult. As a kid we have our parents driving us to and from practice and team functions, however as a young adult all the responsibility is put on you to show up to practice and be a good teammate.
HOW DID (OR WILL) GOING TO COLLEGE PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE?
College prepared me for life by giving me my first experiences to be an adult. It taught me responsibility and accountability. I had to be on time for my classes and practice. College was like a practice of real life. You learn how to balance a social life, athletics, and academics. It taught me more about who I was as a person more than any other period in my life.
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games ResourcesThroughout the Paralympic Games and in the windows of time between them, the USOPC provides schools and conferences with information and resources to aid in their coverage. For those interested in covering their stu...
U.S. Paralympian Historical Collegiate Athlete DatabaseA historical overview of U.S. Paralympians with collegiate student-athlete affiliations. If you know of an athlete missing from the list below, please email ParalympiansMadeHere@usopc.org. You may ...
About The CampaignThe Olympians & Paralympians Made Here campaign was designed in 2019 to strengthen Olympic and Paralympic sport programming at the collegiate level. Developed with the USOPC Collegiate Advisory Council, the campaign serves to elev...
